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"The challenge these days, is to be somewhere, to belong to some particular place, invest oneself in it, draw strength and courage from it, to dwell in a community"
In response to these wise words from bell hooks (philosopher, teacher, activist) we invite our Postgraduate Researcher community to come together in celebration of the potential that research holds to make a difference. Our MDX research community is united by a commitment to generate knowledge that contributes towards fairer, healthier, more prosperous, and sustainable societies. Radical creativity plays a significant role in achieving this goal. To that end, the theme of this year’s conference: ‘Radically Creative: Research towards an Equal, Ethical, Inclusive and Sustainable Future’ provides a rich ‘somewhere’ to collectively dwell upon the potential for research to be bold, creative and impactful.
The Summer Conference this year is chaired by Prof Jayne Osgood and Dr Tuan Le (Programme), together with current postgraduate researchers Patrycja Brodka Pedro and Haider Alkhateeb.
PRSC2023 brings a diverse body of postgraduate researchers from all disciplines together to share how radical creativity can underpin critical enquiry. PRSC has long been a key event in the MDX calendar – offering a vital opportunity to come together in celebration of research undertaken across faculties and our collaborative partner institutions. It is a vital opportunity to share ideas, create fruitful collaborations and crucially ‘dwell in a community’. The event includes an incredible line up of keynote addresses and performances from inspirational figures whose work squarely speaks to the theme of the conference. We hope that you will enjoy two-days bursting with engaging and lively debate. We feel certain that this in-person experience that will both challenge and inspire you.
The Conference will start with a welcome from the Conference Chairs, followed by the interim VC Prof Sean Wellington and opening keynote address by Prof Joy Warmington. On the second day, a keynote address will be delivered by Prof Heidi Safia Mirza as well as a keynote performance by current doctoral candidate, Zandile Ndlovu. The event will close with a panel discussion with Middlesex University's theme directors, Chair of Postgraduate Research and Prof Kate Maguire.
Read on for more information!
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone at the Conference!
Opening keynote address, Tuesday 4 July, 9:45amJoy began her leadership career over 30 years ago designing ground-breaking learning programs for marginalized communities. Then came senior leadership roles in education, local authority and civil society, including 22 years as brap’s CEO, one of the UK’s most progressive equality and human rights charities. brap seeks to rethink our approach to equality in order to make “real” change. Our efforts are designed to generate evidence, be more ambitious about our work and encourage innovation. brap’s impressive work portfolio covers research, evaluation, organizational and individual development, and community support. Joy’s insights into making equity a reality are sought after by organizations seeking real solutions to exclusion and inequity. 2019 saw Joy awarded an MBE and named one of 50 “Women to Watch” by Cranfield University. As a lifelong learner and recent graduate in process work – a psycho-social method to democratize spaces and address conflict, Joy brings her unerring curiosity and appetite for change and creativity to her work. Areas of specialty: inclusion, anti-racism, organizational change, leadership development, conflict management.
Prof Heidi Safia MirzaHeidi Safia Mirza is known for her pioneering intersectional research on race, gender and identity in education and has an international reputation for championing equality and human rights for Black, Muslim, Asian women, and young people through educational reform. A daughter of the Windrush generation from Trinidad and schooled in Brixton, Heidi is one of the first and rare 35 ‘Phenomenal Women’ Black Women professors in Britain. She is author of several best-selling books including Black British Feminism and Young Female and Black, which was voted in the top 40 most influential educational studies in Britain. Professor Mirza is a leading voice in the global debate on decolonisation and co-edited the flagship book, ‘Dismantling Race in Higher Education: Racism, whiteness and decolonising the academy’. She currently leads the IFS Deaton Race and Ethnic Inequalities Review which includes the impact of COVID-19 on Black and minority ethnic communities.
Set in the summer of 2020 within a financial services organisation in the City of London, this play follows the experience of two young graduates as they navigate their first year of corporate life, and of their leaders who are confronted – and often confused with – this different new generation.
Set within the context of a global pandemic, a national work-from-home directive and a world confronted the reality of racial inequality following the murder of George Floyd, the play deals with the complexities of inclusion, and tackles everyday realities that for the most part may go unseen.
The play is performed by 5 actors, including 3 students from the Performing Arts Department, Middlesex University: Bohlale Mokhele, Roxy Barron and recent graduate Anthony Gretton.
The unique poster design for PRSC2023 was created by Misa Murata, current PhD candidate in Graphic Design at Middlesex University. Misa created the line drawing based on the theme and represents radical creativity.
We encourage participants to have a look at the FAQs sheet for the MDX Research Summer Festival. There you can find information about accommodation, parking and access requirements, and much more regarding the summer research events, to help you prepare.
